Isle of Wight, Surry poised for wireless Internet service

Company will use $22.7 million in grants to build broadband network in 15 rural localities

ISLE OF WIGHT – High-speed Internet service will be more readily available in Isle of Wight and Surry counties within the next two years.

The Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative, a communications company based in Bracey, has received two grants totaling $22.7 million to build and operate a broadband and voice network in 15 rural counties in southern and central Virginia. The project area also includes Franklin, Emporia and Southampton, Amelia, Brunswick, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Prince Edward and Sussex counties.

Buggs Island received $18.9 million – which will cover 80 percent of project's cost – in federal stimulus money earmarked for expanding broadband into underserved communities. A $3.8 million state grant will fund the remaining 20 percent of project, according to the company's web site.

The project has to be finished within two years to meet federal regulations and will extend wireless broadband services to up to 100,000 homes and 14,800 businesses, according to the company's website.

The project will be a boon for Isle of Wight, where large pockets of the county don't have high-speed Internet access, said county spokesman Don Robertson. Right now, residents with high-speed Internet have to depend on Charter Cable, which only serves the more populated parts of the county, or a satellite provider, such as HughesNet, for service, Robertson said.

"It will be a huge asset to the community, both in terms of economic development and quality of life for residents," Robertson said. Buggs Island officials have been asked to make a presentation to the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors in July.